PROVINCE LAUNCHES NEW WEAPONS IN BEDBUG FIGHT

Non-profit Grants, Prevention Materials Next Phase of Strategy:

Community-based, non-profit community organizations are eligible to
receive financial assistance to help with bedbug education, treatment,
management and prevention through the province’s new Bed Bug Grant
Program and specialized bedbug prevention materials will be made
available at reduced cost to qualifying organizations through the Bed
Bug Prevention Materials Program, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors
Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.

“These new programs are vital pieces of our bedbug-prevention strategy,
providing supports to the people and organizations that need them most,”
said Rondeau. “This will help to prevent the spread of bedbugs and
ensure that infestations are identified and treated as quickly and
efficiently as possible.”

The Bed Bug Prevention Materials Program will offer a wide variety of
materials at attractive prices to qualifying organizations to help deal
with bedbug infestations, said the minister. Materials will include
bedbug-proof mattress and box-spring covers, insect monitors and record
keepers, insect interceptor traps, dissolvable laundry bags, bedbug
stickers and handouts, and clear-view bedbug monitors.

The program will be phased in to ensure supply meets demand, beginning
with the Manitoba Camping Association and the Manitoba Professional
Property Managers Association, the minister added.

“Each year, approximately 20,000 Manitoba children and youth attend an
accredited Manitoba summer camp,” said Bryan Ezako, executive director,
Manitoba Camping Association. “We want to ensure that their camping
experience is fun filled and unforgettable, and these low-cost
bedbugprevention resources are an important tool that will help to
ensure that camp days are comfortable and worry free.”

Under the $200,000 Bed Bug Grant Program, which is the first of its kind
in Canada, non-profit organizations will be eligible to recover from 50
to 100 per cent of costs related to bedbug treatment or prevention, to a
maximum of $2,000.

Rondeau noted that grants could go towards payment for an approved
integrated pest-management plan or for preventative equipment such as an
industrial dryer which, for example, could be used to heat-treat donated
second-hand clothing that could be given to needy families and
charitable organizations in the community.

Rondeau noted the new programs build on other bedbug strategies
including the recent launch of the bedbug hotline, e-mail address and
website, the formation of a bedbug coalition with representation from
more than 20 Manitoba organizations, and a marketing and education
campaign.

Grant application forms or for more information is available at the
toll-free bedbug hotline at 18553MBBUGS (1-855-362-2847), www.manitoba.ca/bedbugs or by email at bedbugs@gov.mb.ca.